Building element



March 1935- N. P. HARSHBERGER 1,993,164

BUILDING ELEMENT Filed Sept. 28, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [N VEN TOR M/EE ATTORNEY.

March 5, 1935. N. P. HARSHBERGER 4 BUILDING ELEMENT Filed Sept. 28, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

7 x /ywz k A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 PATENT OFFICE BUILDING ELEMENT Norman P. Harshberger, Scarsdale, N. Y., as-

signor to Bakelite Building Products Co. Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 28, 1931, Serial No. 565,445

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in building elements.

It is common practice,at the present time, when economical coverage of a roof or other portion of a building is desired, to cut the material in relatively large units or strips, each unit or.

strip having delineated or otherwise marked thereon definition lines to simulate a plurality of individual small sized shingles on each unit. Where the roofing is thus made to give the appearance of individual small sized shingles, the illusion is eifective only from a great distance, and the fact that the roof is covered with large units or strips is usually readily apparent upon closer observation.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide improved building elements which may be furnished in relatively largesized units in which each unit is constructed so as to simulate in an unusually natural manner a plurality of individual shingles.

A more specific object of the invention is to accomplish the above mentioned objects by having each unit or strip so formed that there are separate portions in at least three different planes, the planes being separated by lines of on?- set which define the individual figures in such a manner that the roof covering even on close inspection appears to be made up of only a plurality of the small sized individual units.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved building elements which afford the maximum protection with a relatively small amount of material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roofing element having folded portions to provide a unit having surfaces in at least three different planes.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a building element which may be molded or pressed to cause certain portions of the surface to lie in different planes from other portions thereof, the lines of ofiset between the planes defining definitely the individual shingle eiiects.

A further object of the invention is to provide building elements having means for cooperation with a novel form of locking device.

A further object of the invention is to provide building elements which are attractive in appear-, ance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple to assemble, and well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved building element and all its parts and combinations as set (01. 10&7)

forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof. In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of building ma- 5 terial showing the method of cutting out one form of the improved element;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the elements cut from the blank illustrated in Fig. 1, said element being shown in folded position ready for laying;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of i -2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an assembly of a plurality of the elements 01' Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of an element similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 showing the incorporation therein of the improved locking means, and the position of said means while nailing is being done;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the lower comer of one of the elements showing the locking means in its final position after nailing, the nail having been covered by a downward sliding movement of the element;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan view of an ordinary rectangular shingle showing how the improved locking means may be incorporated therein.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a molded form of building element, said element being quite similar in appearance to the folded element of Fig. 2;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views taken. respectively on lines 9-9, 10-10 and 11,11 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a group of the elements of Fig. 8 as they appear when assembled.

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 4), the blank of material is out along the lines 15, 16, 17 and 18 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. It is preferredto utilize the usual type of flexible composition building material, but any other suitable material may be employed. In cutting out the units in the manner shown in Fig. 1, it is preferred to out a series of said units from an elongated web having a width either equal to the width of the unit or an exact multiple thereof.

The cut units will be found to include four sections, 19, 20, 2'1- and 22, the sections 19 and 20 being connected to a neck 23 between the sections 21 and 22 by lines of fold 24 and 25.

In use, the section 20 is folded upwardly on the line 24 to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the section 19 is folded downwardly beneath the 55 sections 21 and 22 as also shown in Fig. 2. The lower corner 26 of the section 20, which is separated by a line of fold 26 is then preferably folded over and the upper corner 27 of the section 19 which is defined by a similar line of fold 27 is folded under the section. It is further to be noted that the section 19 is formed with lateral extensions 28, and that the section 20 is formed with similar extensions 29.

In assembly as shown in Fig. 4, the elements may be laid horizontally or diagonally in either direction with the lower diagonal edges of one element overlapping upper diagonal edges of elements below in such a manner that a plurality of hexagonal shingle effects are produced. It is preferred, however, that the elements be positioned in diagonally extending rows. Due to the fact that the section 19 of each element is in a plane lower than the sections 21 and 22,

and that the section 20 is in a plane higher, it is desirable to have any space between an overlapping portion of one element and a portion ofanother element in a plane below filled up so that moisture cannot work in below the element. This purpose is effectively accomplished by the folded over corners 26 and 27 of the sections 19 and 20, and by the laterally extending portions 28 and 29. By referring to the folded over portion 26 to which the numeral is applied in Fig. 4, it will be seen that this corner fits perfectly adjacent the edge of the overlapping element, and effectively fills in any gaps which might otherwise be present. It will also be seen that the laterally extending portions 28 and 29 to which,

the numerals are applied in Fig. 4 of the sections 19 and 20 effectively fill in the space below the butt of an element positioned above.

It is to be noted that in the folded element there are lines of fold and a portion of triple thickness located substantially centrally of the element and formed by the neck 23 and by the portions of sections 20 and 19 thereabove and therebelow. Thus the unit is substantially strengthened at a point generally considered the weakest.

In application, nails 30 may be utilized as shown in Fig. 4 or a special form of look as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. This lock comprises a short strip of metal or other suitable material 31 which may have its lower end nailed to the roof as at 32, and which may have its upper end engageable with a slit 33 formed in the underturned corner 27. A similar lock may also be engageable with a similar slit in the upper corner 26 as illustrated. In application, the fastening strips are nailed to the roof in suitable position and the building element is then merely slipped into engagement therewith, a downward sliding motion of the element being used to cover the nail head at 32, the final position being indicated in Fig. 6. As for the upper look, when the latter is employed, an upper movement of the element may be used to bring about engagement.

In Fig. 7 the use of such a lock in connection with an underturned lower edge 34 of a rectangular shingle is illustrated. While it is preferred to merely form the shingle illustrated in Fig. 2 by folding the parts to the desired positions, inasmuch as this procedure can be carried out at the time of assembly, the folding may, however, be done during manufacture, and the various portions of each element may then be pressed into intimate contact with one another, and overlapping portions made to permanently adhere together by any suitable means such as by adhesive, by stapling, or by riveting, thus forming a rigid or semi-rigid element. The element may also be manufactured in this latter manner from relatively rigid material such as -a cement and asbestos composition.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated another type of unit which is very similar in appearance to that of Fig. 2, but which is formed during manufacture by molding, pressure or by any other method so that sections 35 and 36 are in one plane, section 37 in a plane above, and section 38 in a plane below, the various sections being separated by lines of offset 39 which are clearly shown in the sectional views, Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive. This type of element may be constructed of any suitable material, but it is preferred to form it of a rigid material such as a cement and asbestos composition. This molded-type of element as shown in Fig. 12 may also be laid horizontally or diagonally in either direction, though preferably in diagonally extending rows the laterally extending raised extensions 40 effectively filling in the spaces below the butt edges 41 of an element above, and also serving to facilitate alinement of the units.

From the above description it may be seen that with both the building elements of Figs. 2 and 8, a roof covering may be formed'which very closely simulates a roof constructed of small separate hexagonal elements due to the fact that the definition lines between the various figures on each element are formed in a natural manner and due to the fact that the different elements are in different planes from one another. It may also be seen that the spaces below the butt edges of the elements are effectively filled in in both forms of the invention to prevent the entrance of moisture or other impairing influences.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the material may be surfaced on both sides so that either side may be exposed to the weather, the element being so formed that it is readily reversible to produce the same effect with either side. Where this type of construction is employed, one side of the element may be surfaced with material of one color, and the other side with material of a different color. Thus, with one type of stock on hand, a dealer will be able to furnish a selection of two different colors.

Thus, relatively economical large sized building elements have been provided which will so closely resemble the more expensive individual shingles when laid that the difference is not apparent even upon close inspection.

What I claim is:

1. A relatively large unitary building element having surface portions thereof offset from one another in at least three different planes to define a plurality of individual sections which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent overlapping elements to simulate a covering formed of independent small size elements overlapping one another, the uppermost of said sections having a lateral extension on both sides in the plane of the section to serve as fillers in assembly.

2. A unitary building element adapted to be laid in horizontal or diagonally extending rows in either direction to form a weather protective covering comprising a body portion having a section folded thereabove to expose the reverse side of said section, and a section folded below the normal surface plane of said body, said body portion also having a recess therein to expose the reverse side of the section which is folded below, the element thus having exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent, overlapping elements to simulate independent, small size. elements overlapping one another.

3. A unitary building element comprising a body portion having a section folded thereabove to expose the reverse side of said section, and a section folded below the normal surface plane of said body, said body portion also having a recess therein to expose the reverse side of the section which is folded below, the element thus having-exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent, overlapping elements to simulate independent, small size elements overlapping one another, the section which is folded above having a lateral extension in the plane of the section to serve as a filler in assembly.

4. A unitary building element comprising a body portion having a section folded above and a section folded below the normal surface plane thereof, said body portion also having a recess therein to expose the section which is folded below, the element thus having exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent, overlapping elements to simulate independent, small size elements overlapping one another, one of the folded sections having a folded corner portion to serve as a filler in assembly. 7

5. A unitary building element comprising a body portion having a section folded above and a section folded below the normal surface plane thereof, said body portion also having a recess therein to expose the section which is folded below, the element thus having exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sec-' tions of similar adjacent, overlapping elements to simulate independent, small size elements overlapping one another, each of the folded sections having a folded corner portion to serve as a filler in assembly.

6. A unitary building element comprising a body portion having a pair of similarly shaped sections in the normal plane of the body, a relatively narrow neck connecting said two sections,

another section in foldable connection with one edge of said neck, and another section in foldable connection with the opposite edge of said neck, said foldable sections being movable one above and one below the normal plane of the body to thus form an element having sections in three different planes cooperable with sections of similarly formed and folded overlapping elements to simulate a covering formed of independent small size elements overlapping one another.

7. A unitary building element comprising a rectangular. sheet of material having a cut extending diagonally inwardly from each sidethereof to define four sections, said cuts terminating short of meeting near the center of the sheet, one of the section's being foldable adjacent the upper side of the sheet, and an opposite section being foldable adjacent the lower side of the sheet to thus form an element having sections in three different planes cooperable with sections of similarly formed and folded overlapping elements to simulate a covering formed of independent small size elements overlapping one another.

a triple thickness, said body portion also having a recess therein to expose the section which is folded below, the element thus having exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent, overlapping ele ments to simulate independent, small size elements overlapping one another.

9. A unitary building element comprising a ,body portion having a section folded above and pose the section which is folded below, the element thus having exposed sections in three different planes which cooperate with sections of similar adjacent, overlapping elements to simulate independent, small size elements overlapping one another.

10. A relatively large substantially diamond shaped building element having a pair of sections on'opposite sides of the element positioned in the same plane, said element having another section disposed in a plane above the plane of said first two sections and having a lateral extension on either side in the plane of the section to serve as fillers in assembly, and said element having still another section disposed in a plane below the plane of said first-two sections, said secti on being permanently connected to one another in position for assembly to provide a unit having a plurality of ofiset sections which cooperate diagonally in either direction or laterally with sections of similar adjacent overlapping elements to provide a similar covering of independent small size elements overlapping one another when laid in any of said directions with respect to the axis of the structure to which applied.

11. A relatively large unitary building element adapted to be laid horizontally or diagonally in either direction and obtain a similar arrangement of figures with respect to the axes of the structure to which applied when laid in any of said directions, preformed during manufacture by molding to provide stepped diagonal edge and surface portions in at least three different planes with each portion of substantially equal thickness throughout and of substantially equal thickness to any other portion, said portions in diiferent planes being diagonally positioned with respect to each other and forming narrow laps of double thickness at their lines of offset to define a plurality of individual sections, the uppermost of said surface portions having a lateral extension on both sides in the plane of the surface portion to serve as fillers between overlapping elements in assembly and said element being'adapted to cooperate with sections of similar overlapping elements to simulate a covering formed of independent small size elements overlapping one another.

12. A relatively large unitary building element preformed during manufacture by molding to provide surface portions in at least three different planes to define a plurality of individual sections along diagonal and horizontal lines, two disposed centrally vertically and lying in a single plane and having two others disposed one on either side of the central two, one in a plane above the central two and one in a plane below the central two, the uppermost section having a lateral extension on either side in the plane of the section to serve as fillers in assembly and said element being adapted to be laid horizontally or diagonally in either direction to cooperate with sections of similar overlapping elements to provide a similar covering of independent configurations overlapping one another when laid in any of said directions with respect to the axes of the structure to which applied.

13. A unitary building element having a plurality of individual configurations comprising a body portion forming a central section in one plane and having two other folded sections directly connected thereto formed by lines of out within said body portion, one of said folded sections being folded above said central section to expose the reverse side of said folded section and the second being folded below said central section, thus presenting an element of overlapping configurations with sections in three different planes.

14. A unitary building element comprising a body portion having a section folded thereabove to expose the reverse side of said section and a section folded below, thus forming an element having adjacent sections in three different planes, said folded sections extending beyond the longitudinal exposed edges of the body portion and presenting a group of overlapping individual configurations.

15. A unitary building element comprising section of material with substantially parallel opposite faces and having a pair of adjacent lower edges extending diagonally to each other of substantially equal length and of zigzag outline, the face of the element being shaped to present flat areas grouped to define figures of substantially similar size and outline when exposed, the upper areas of said group being larger than the figures to be exposed and providing portions extending to the upper edges of the element and lying in a plane common with their portions to be exposed to provide for lapping by adjacent elements when laid, the lower areas of said group having edges coinciding with the zigzag edges of the element and defining edges of the figures to be exposed, a plurality of said units adapted to be applied in horizontally or diagonally extending rows with the lower zigzag edges of certain elements lapping the upper edge portions of the shaped areas to simulate a surface comprising the defined figures.

16. A roof and siding covering comprising a plurality of units laid with one pair of opposite corners extending in a line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the structure to which applied, said units having upper and lower diagonally extending edges, the lower edges of substantially equal length and forming zigzag lines, said units also having upon their faces formed sections disposed in difierent planes, defining when laid a plurality of similar shaped figures, there being edges of said sections coinciding with said zigzag edges and certain sections having extensions in the plane of said sections to provide fillers in assembly, said units being laid with the lower zigzag edges of one unit overlapping the upper edges and extensions of two subjacent units and registering with said extensions to simulate a covering of the defined figures.

1'7. In combination, a shingle having a folded edge portion provided with an elongated slit extending substantially in the direction of the line of fold and removed from the edge of fold, an individual elongated locking device, and separate means for securing one end of said locking device to the understructure, the other end of the locking device being engageable by a sliding movement substantially verticalto the line of fold with the slit of the folded edge portion of the shingle to lock down said shingle portions and to cover the securing means of the looking device.

18. The method of producing a relatively large diamond shaped roofing element comprising cutting a sheet to form substantially connected to gether sections, said cutting comprising pairs of cuts extending from the marginal edges of the sheet to a substantially central portion connecting all the sections, folding a section at the connecting portion diagonally of the marginal edges to a plane above two adjacent sections lying in the same plane and folding another opposite section to a plane below said two adjacent sections lying in the same plane.

19. The method of producing substantially diamond shaped roofing elements having connected together figures, comprising the steps of providing a blank of-shingle material having the general shape of a parallelogram, making cuts angularly disposed to the respective marginal edges of the blank and extending to the central portion of the blank to form edges and sections to comprise the element figures and arranging said cuts as to leave unsevered portions of the blank connecting said sections, folding a section at the unsevered portion, diagonally of the marginal edges of the blank to a plane above its immediate adjacent sections and folding an opposite section to a plane below said immediate adjacent sections.

NORMAN P. HARSHBERGER. 

